Vintage Waltham, Small Seconds
When going to my usual antique store for vintage watches, the owner said he had a new shipment for me. Did he ever! I picked up two watches. This was the first I pulled out the bucket. A stunning, blue, Waltham watch, with small seconds. I really wanted a small seconds watch in my collection, and I finally have one. It is made in France and I have not had the heart to open up the back to see what makes it tick. Whatever is beating back there is accurate as hell. After 3 days, it was dead on! Not even my new Seiko automatics can boast that.
The face is a blue, radial sunburst pattern. The applied markers are crystals/cut glass. The bezel is very small, so even though this watch is just 36mm or so across, it looks much larger. The hands are very long, with the minute hand almost touching the bezel. The tiny seconds hand moves smoothly across the sub-dial and does not stop and start like some sub-seconds watches. The crystal is a lightly domed acrylic with very few scratches.
The case is base metal with a stainless steel back. 36mm in diameter and 7mm thick, with the crystal. The crown is signed (W) and turns easily. The movement is a low beat, but very accurate. The lugs are typical 50’s to 60′ at 17mm. The age of the watch is unknown and I have not really been able to find a comparable piece online. I put the watch on a black, alligator grain, patent leather band. I think it is very appropriate for the watch.
Overall, the watch is stunning on the wrist and very comfortable to wear. It is very thin (most hand wind only watches are) and looks like it was a pretty pricey watch when it was new. It reminds me of Omega DeVille small seconds. It was a great find and is an excellent change of pace from typical, gold or silver face vintage pieces.
Case: 36mm, base metal with chrome plating.
Back: Stainless, Marked Waltham, Water Resistant, Shock Resistant.
Crystal: Acrylic with a light dome.
Movement: Hand wound Waltham, 18,000 BPH, small seconds.
Complications: None.
Other: Currently on alligator grain leather band.
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I just inherited a watch that looks very much like this blue faced Waltham you have, but mine has a date window on the right side of the face and the seconds dial is a bit smaller. The crystals are larger and on every number’s place. Do you have any idea of the age? Wound this one up and it runs great!
To be honest, I am not sure the age is. My best guess is late 50’s or early 60’s. I have seen a white dialed version of this watch as well. The original Waltham company went out of business in 1957, but a new company carried on the name for another 10 years or so. I have not taken the back off of the watch, so I don’t know the movement/serial number to confirm the age.
Its really awsum vintage watch, hatsoff to you for this, i am a collecter of vintage watches, can u please let me know, in what price you will give me this excellent waltham …expecting your reply soon….
Hi, I have the identical Blue Dial Small Seconds Walthem watch you have,in at least as good if not better condition. The only thing I know about it is that Walthem is a quality watch. I was planning to wear it, but I’m kinda hard on things. What is a watch like this worth?, I dont want to beat up a classic Thnx
It really is a stunning watch. I am not sure of its value either. Ones in very good condition get over $100 on eBay. If I was hard on watches, I would only wear it on special occasions. I am pretty gentle with my watches, so it is in regular rotation, but I avoid wearing it if expecting very wet weather or if I think I will be working on something that can damage it. I have a Seiko beater quartz watch for occasions like yard work.
I just bought the identical watch with a gray dial on ebay. It is new old stock in oriiginal box with tags and warranty book. Never worn. Seller mistakenly listed it as quartz movement. A steal at $85.00 delivered. God is good!
That is a great deal. I have seen some great deals on eBay as well with ignorant sellers, or selling large lots of watches at a fraction of what they are worth. Enjoy wearing it, it is a very thin watch and keeps surprisingly good time.
Thanks for your comments. Given a choice, I prefer your blue dial. With that black band, it’s a startler. I bought my first vintage about 1979 at a pawn shop. I’ve been hooked ever since. I don’t care if they’re solid, GF, plated, chrome or SS, I like all kinds. Love 50s and 60s contemporary. What a great website!
Have one just like it ,no band, will sell for 150
i have a old real Seiko watch do you want it
I have one.. sold a red face 225.00 blue 175.00